EY names Jeff Grabow as US VC leader

Jeff Grabow has been named the new US venture capital leader for EY, a specialist advisor to entrepreneurs.

He will lead the overall US VC strategy as part of the firm's strategic growth markets practice, working with regional leaders to build strong relationships with both high-growth entrepreneurial companies and the VC firms that invest in them.

Grabow takes over the role from Bryan Pearce, who is now serving as global venture capital leader for the firm.

"Jeff has a deep understanding of the dynamics of the VC industry, and how those impact our clients' needs," says Herb Engert, strategic growth markets leader for Ernst & Young LLP. "We are thrilled to have such a talented and experienced leader who hails from Silicon Valley join our strategic growth markets core team."

Grabow has more than 25 years of experience working directly with rapidly growing, venture-backed companies and venture capitalists in Silicon Valley. Prior to his new role, Grabow spent almost six years as west region venture capital leader at EY, responsible for establishing and cultivating relationships with new clients, venture capitalists, angel investors, attorneys, bankers and consultants. He was also responsible for consulting with numerous emerging and high-growth companies on various business imperatives, including raising capital, domestic and international partnering arrangements and marketing strategies.

"My role gives me the privilege of meeting and working with some of the world's leading entrepreneurs. The disruptive technologies and products I see every day feed my passion for providing early stage companies opportunities to take advantage of global markets and promote their rapid growth," says Grabow. "I look forward to continuing my work with these companies in my new role."

Grabow will continue to lead EY's Silicon Valley CFO roundtable series, which focuses on topics critical to the success of high-growth company CEOs and CFOs, such as venture finance, privacy and security, founder's liquidity and exit readiness.